Constant anxiety.

LegacyUser

For almost the last year I have been constantly anxious and its really effecting my life.

It was my final year this year and I had two dissertations to do, I think the anxiety started there and then I started having problems in my relationship on top of that.

I was so anxious that I couldn't think about or do my dissertations, I ended up sitting in the library all day every day trying to do them but not even being able to write a few words.

I went to my gp and he put me on xanex, they were good, they made me feel a bit better but did not solve anything. I still couldn't get anything done as they effected my concentration and also I was terrified about becoming dependant on them so I took them as little as possible.

My relationship ended and after that I ended up seeing a counselor. She really helped me resolve my feelings about my ex and move on but I never really covered the anxiety thing with her properly, we talked about setting goals with the dissertation etc but I never met them.

I didn't get my work in but the college are letting me repeat for honours next year for free which is really really great.

I stopped going to the counselor but now I don't know whether I should have. I thought the relationship and dissertation thing had been the cause of my anxiety but even though they are both resolved now I'm still constantly worried about stuff that I know is stupid and suffering from insomnia.

I can't sleep because I am constantly thinking about little mistakes I made here and there that don't matter and that I cant change but I still worry about them. Also when I have nothing to distract me I have this constant feeling of impending doom so I stay up all night on the Internet trying to distract myself. I am taking sleeping tablets but they are starting to not work anymore and I don't like taking them or being dependant on them.

I really don't know what to do at this stage! Has anyone experienced anything simular?

Is there any point in seeing the psychologist again? I don't have any "issues" in particular that are causing this I think. The last time I went I went to talk about a specific issue this time I cant put my finger on what is causing me to feel this way.

Would medication be an answer? I don't really like the idea of being dependant on an antidepressent but will do it if its the best answer. Xanex- I can rule out, that only helped a little.

I really need to get this sorted or I can see a replay re my dissertations! That can't happen again! Also I really would like some freaking sleep!:(

rubyrua

When I was in college I used to have the same issues re:anxiety \ stressed out... I went to see this food allergist person and she did some tests on me an found out i had no vitamin B in my system - she recommended i get some Vitamin B complex - basically an over the counter supplement that can be got in dunnes or tesco for €4 - i have to say i noticed such a difference after a couple of wks, it was incredible! now i go back on a set every couple of mths and honestly cant believe that something so simple made a difference. now you might think this is a load of crap but maybe it might be worth a try?

Wibbs

Naked Lepper your post was deleted as medical/drug advice is against the charter of this forum. Please read it before posting.

unhappycamper

anxioustired wrote: »

For almost the last year I have been constantly anxious and its really effecting my life.

It was my final year this year and I had two dissertations to do, I think the anxiety started there and then I started having problems in my relationship on top of that.

I was so anxious that I couldn't think about or do my dissertations, I ended up sitting in the library all day every day trying to do them but not even being able to write a few words.

I went to my gp and he put me on xanex, they were good, they made me feel a bit better but did not solve anything. I still couldn't get anything done as they effected my concentration and also I was terrified about becoming dependant on them so I took them as little as possible.

My relationship ended and after that I ended up seeing a counselor. She really helped me resolve my feelings about my ex and move on but I never really covered the anxiety thing with her properly, we talked about setting goals with the dissertation etc but I never met them.

I didn't get my work in but the college are letting me repeat for honours next year for free which is really really great.

I stopped going to the counselor but now I don't know whether I should have. I thought the relationship and dissertation thing had been the cause of my anxiety but even though they are both resolved now I'm still constantly worried about stuff that I know is stupid and suffering from insomnia.

I can't sleep because I am constantly thinking about little mistakes I made here and there that don't matter and that I cant change but I still worry about them. Also when I have nothing to distract me I have this constant feeling of impending doom so I stay up all night on the Internet trying to distract myself. I am taking sleeping tablets but they are starting to not work anymore and I don't like taking them or being dependant on them.

I really don't know what to do at this stage! Has anyone experienced anything simular?

Is there any point in seeing the psychologist again? I don't have any "issues" in particular that are causing this I think. The last time I went I went to talk about a specific issue this time I cant put my finger on what is causing me to feel this way.

Would medication be an answer? I don't really like the idea of being dependant on an antidepressent but will do it if its the best answer. Xanex- I can rule out, that only helped a little.

I really need to get this sorted or I can see a replay re my dissertations! That can't happen again! Also I really would like some freaking sleep!:(

I have been suffering from anxiety (GAD) general anxiety disorder for a full year now. There are many tips I can give you that may help but you must pay attention to your body, here goes:

1. Drink water 6 times a day, even if you don't want to it will cool down and moisturize your skin, when you are stressed feeling hot and bothered is ver uncomfortable, treat water differently.

2. Tell the doctor that this horrible feeling is becoming over bearing and may you have something a little more strong, a good prescription will help your nerves settle.

3. If you are constantly questioning everything you need to learn how to relax your body and let go. Drop your shoulders, take a walk, call a friend.

4. At night time make sure you have the window open, plenty of air will help you relax, especially when it is cooling you down.

5. It took me a year before I could fully concentrate and stay sharp but one thing that helped my concentration was my diet. I found eating lambs liver for breakfast 3 times a week built up my iron and somehow my brain felt a massive increase in concentration and sharpness, don't worry it will get better, check your diet, ask yourself what are you missing?

6. When you are feeling great anxiety try and breathe, learn how your lungs work, read books on anxiety when you are feeling it, there are millions out there who suffer and can share their own experiences.

7. If there is something you need to tell somebody then tell them, no matter how hard. Any baggage we carry causes severe anxiety.

8. Sleep well, start re organizing your schedule, stop taking drugs even stop dabbling (if you do of course) it will prolong the anxiety. You need to make a clean start, that means stay away from drugs altogether.

9. Do weights, physically build up your muscles and take control of your strength, when you feel it you will believe it.

10. It does go away so be cool. Avoid being in a position where you are worried and outside of your comfort zone. Commitment is the key.


Anxiety is now your new friend and he wont go away until you make it very clear that you will fight it tooth and nail. You probably are wondering why you? I really don't know myself, I asked myself that question many times. I am a confident person and very social but people who think and worry eventually get caught up with anxiety. Mind yourself and commit to losing this enemy. Remember anxiety is a serious dilemma so never underestimate it. One day if you dabble with drugs it could lead to a panic attack which is 100 times worse than feeling uncomfortable for the day. They never killed anyone but trust me if you have one you will feel like you are going to die.

PM me if you want my MSN and I can talk to you further and support you. I know it sucks but it gets better if you try and work it out.

Dizzyblonde

OP if I were you I'd look into Cognitive Behavioural Therapy. It's very good for helping you to alter your thought patterns and reduce anxiety. A lot of therapists do it nowadays and I know quite a few people who have been helped by it.

LegacyUser

rubyrua wrote: »

I went to see this food allergist person and she did some tests on me an found out i had no vitamin B in my system - she recommended i get some Vitamin B complex

Thanks I will try that out.

2. Tell the doctor that this horrible feeling is becoming over bearing and may you have something a little more strong, a good prescription will help your nerves settle.

I might end up doing that alright but at the minute I really hate the thought of going on medication for the rest of my life.

3. If you are constantly questioning everything you need to learn how to relax your body and let go. Drop your shoulders, take a walk, call a friend.

4. At night time make sure you have the window open, plenty of air will help you relax, especially when it is cooling you down.

During the day I can usually deal with the anxiety very well by distracting myself, the problem arises at night or when I am trying to concentrate on college work.

5. It took me a year before I could fully concentrate and stay sharp but one thing that helped my concentration was my diet. I found eating lambs liver for breakfast 3 times a week built up my iron and somehow my brain felt a massive increase in concentration and sharpness, don't worry it will get better, check your diet, ask yourself what are you missing?.......


6. When you are feeling great anxiety try and breathe, learn how your lungs work, read books on anxiety when you are feeling it, there are millions out there who suffer and can share their own experiences.........

9. Do weights, physically build up your muscles and take control of your strength, when you feel it you will believe it.

Will do.

I don't really dabble in drugs at all, I have had grass twice this year and thats it. I can't put my finger on any baggage that I could have, that's whats so weird about it, the anxiety is totally irrational. Anyone that meets me sees me as a really laid back easy going person, this isn't like me at all!


Dizzyblonde, I googled the cognitive behavioural therapy and it sounds good, it might even be what I was receiving before, I'm not sure. I will look into that more.


All the advice is pretty mixed so far but I'm open to anything at this stage!

unhappycamper

Good man,
You only need medicine from the doc if the anxiety is taking over your daily routine and even if he prescribes you medicine it is not for life. I finished mine after 5 months. Anyway, I recommend you bring this information to your GP and have a good chat with him about how your life is being invaded with anxiety. It is important to speak the GP sooner rather than later. It may seem like you can handle it now but anxiety can develop. Best of luck

jessbeth

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is the best. It really helps you to separate the anxiety from yourself as a person and once you start recognising the anxiety for what it is you will be able to control it much easier. Try mindfulness and progressive muscle relaxation on a daily basis too and this will help. If you google mindfulness and progressive muscle relaxation you can usually get some free stuff to download online.

dan_d

Definitely think you should try CBT.Many therapists and psychologists etc, focus solely on past trouble and your childhood etc etc. In your case it sounds like you started to worry badly about something (your dissertations), like anyone would, and basically, the worrying has now become a habit.I've had this experience; I spent a long time in constant grip of anxiety attacks about nothing in particular, and and one stage had an appointment booked with a counsellor.However I cancelled it as I didn't think it would really be any good, and she had told me it would take at least 8 weeks or more to "work through my problems", as that was what it normally took.In my heart I know that I was worrying needlessly and also, that I certainly did not have enough to talk about to fill 8 weeks of sessions or more (!).But she was adamant it would take at least that long, so I cancelled and decided to work it out for myself.Your experience has been going on for much longer than mine, so talking to someone would help.I think CBT would be good though, because you pretty much know the root of your worrying and where it started.They'll basically teach you how to control it, and how to break the habits you've developed as a result of it,how to recognise situations that will set it off, and how to control it at these times, as opposed to constantly needling at the how's and why's of it and not actually stopping it.It is more a case of breaking a very bad habit as opposed to searching for some deep rooted childhood reason for it.

littlefriend

Hi, sorry to hear you are not feeling great. I know where you are coming from. Please try out the things I have written below. These are the things that have helped me - not medical advice..

1. Make sure you are getting a load of fish oils into you everyday. Your brain needs them. It is worth spending the extra money on the more expensive ones over the generic brand types. MorEPA or Eskimo Oil are good ones - go to a health food shop and ask to speak to somebody who knows what they are doing (a lot of places employ a nutritionist so this won't be a problem) - you may need to take more than the rec dosage on the bottle - don't worry about that. Holland & Barrett own brand is a bit of a false economy as you although they are cheaper you need to take a load of them for the same effect.
2. Get a good Vitamin B supplement & take that.
3. Every day you need to do 30 - 45 mins exercise apart from stuff you already do (what I mean is walking to college doesn't count). Set a time and make sure you stick to it every day. Maybe consider joining a group to exercise - eg local running or walking club, join a gym & do the classes. You will sleep if you are tired enough.
4. Avoid stimulants like tea and coffee.
5. Consider starting to see a CBT counselor for a great boost in self esteem and positivity as well as practical advice on how to get a handle your anxiety.
6. Keep a zanex or even a half on you so that you know it is there in case of a sudden attack.
7. I don't know where I got this one from but it works ... if you are feeling overwhelmed get outside and concentrate on the traffic for a few minutes - it'll subside.
8. Maybe speak about what is going on with you to the people in college.

You will get better - you just need to learn how to get better and how to stay better. Post on here anytime you have difficulties that you need advice about.
Best of luck

wexford1

I used to have an anxiety disorder. I could barely leave the house but conquered it through Recovery meetings. http://www.recovery-inc.com/
You will meet loads of people who have conquered their illness through REcovery which gives you great hope, and its is effectly CBT and its cheaper that councelers, €3 a night and thats only if you can afford it.
Try this for sleeplessness. Lie absolutly still in the bed not moving a single muscle, not even an eyeball. Try this but don't give up if it doesn't work the first time, keep doing it.) Try motionless sitting too during the day for anxiety. Try get 10 mins min. in every day